Understanding how phthalate exposure before birth affects childhood weight and if certain diets can help
Official title: Influences of Prenatal Phthalate Exposure on Early Childhood Overweight/Obesity and Potentially Protective Dietary Strategies
Funded at University of Delaware · NIH-11129921 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project explores how exposure to common chemicals before birth might affect a child's weight and if healthy eating habits can offer protection.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Delaware NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 3, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $44,838 |
| NIH project number | 5R36OD037660-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11129921 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This research is relevant for pregnant individuals and young children, particularly those concerned about environmental exposures and childhood weight.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not directly involved in the study or those outside the prenatal and early childhood age ranges may not receive direct benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
This research looks at how common chemicals called phthalates, which people are exposed to every day, might influence a child's weight development starting even before they are born. Researchers want to understand if these chemicals change a baby's body in ways that could lead to being overweight or obese later in childhood. They also hope to discover if specific diets can help protect children from these potential effects. This work aims to find new ways to prevent childhood obesity by addressing environmental factors and dietary solutions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify new ways to prevent childhood obesity by understanding environmental risks and protective dietary strategies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown mixed results regarding the link between prenatal phthalate exposure and childhood BMI, highlighting the need for more robust investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Delaware
Newark, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Webb, Mary — University of Delaware
- Study coordinator: Webb, Mary
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.